After 21 years, the Liberian government, through the Bureau of Veteran Affairs, has begun the payment of widows and children of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) following thorough data facts and findings about who is a legitimate widows and children of AFL across the country.
According to the Chairlady of the Concerned Widows of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Mary Y. Allison, the government of Liberia is taking the initiative to pay 3,283 widows of ex-soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
The payment will commence on June 26, 2023 at the Star Base on Bushord Island with the children or beneficiaries of the AFL.
Allison and her Co-chair, Musu Kermun, thanked their colleagues who stood by them, including Augustine D. Nagbe, Defense Minister, Daniel Ziankhan, and Chief of Protocol of the Executive Mansion, Nora Finda Bundoo, for being patient with them. They promised that the payment will be done transparently.
The two executives of the Concerned Widows of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) described the government of President George M. Weah as the government that is in the interest of the people, including the widows of ex-soldiers of the AFL.
Allison said that she will use her influence to go throughout the counties and sensitize the minds of widows and beneficiaries of former AFL soldiers to vote for President Weah in the pending legislative and presidential elections.
The chairlady of the concerned widows and beneficiary said the payment process will be highly monitored by a representative of the Minister of Defense because he has taken a key interest in the process, noting that the past government of President Sirleaf ill-treated the concerned widows and beneficiaries and they staged many protests in demand of their just benefits.
The leader of the widows said they are reminding the office of the President, through Ambassador Bundoo, to complete the headquarters of the widows at the Star Base, Bushord Island, and also create an opportunity for skills training for the widows and children of the AFL.
However, she said the widows will always remain grateful to President Weah, and called on all citizens to recognize the development contributions of this government.